'Deceit' : desperation in desperate times

Abstract

This dissertation is a film-making academic exercise based on a script written by myself, inspired loosely by the rules of the video game Among Us (2018). Deceit is a fictional mystery/thriller short film that imagines the rules of the game applied to a “real life” situation. In a time and place not far from now, Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, and Green are the last few players in the final rounds of an insidious “game”. These games are organized and live streamed by an anonymous organization for the entertainment of the rich and powerful. If the players successfully complete all the tasks they are set they win a vast sum of money. However, the “impostors” task is to eliminate and sabotage the other players before they have a chance to win. Deceit is an exercise in practical film-making in order to explore the question: Can deceit and misdirection storytelling techniques inform a cinematic interpretation of human being in difficult circumstances? A short film project consisting of casting, crewing, editing, and general film production.